Peter Mandelson 'blocking' smoking crackdown (UK)

Peter Mandelson is at the centre of a Whitehall row over a planned clampdown on cigarette sales which threatens to overshadow this week's Queen's Speech. Alan Johnson, the Health Secretary, is said to have legislation which would ban big displays of cigarettes - effectively forcing their sale under the counter - "ready to go" as a key part of the Government's programme for the next 12 months. However, Mr Mandelson's department, Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR), is said to be objecting to the proposals on the grounds that they would harm the profitability of small businesses during the slump. Government sources last night acknowledged that the row was hindering final preparations for Wednesday's Queen's Speech, in which forthcoming Bills are announced." - Telegraph